How to Wash Hunting Clothes So They Do Not Glow

Many store-bought laundry detergents contain UV brighteners. These UV brighteners can actually be seen by animals when you're hunting. If they spot you, they'll run away and you won't be able to get a good shot at them. Since you don't want to be a walking advertisement, you need to find another way to wash your clothes. There are a few simple ways you can do this and remain anonymous to the animals.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Baking soda
• Residue-free detergent
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Unscented shampoo
• Empty spray bottle

1. Wash your hunting clothes in cold water with no detergent if they're not very dirty. Just run the clothing through the regular cycle in the washer and then dry them in the dryer. You could also dry them outside on a clothesline.

2. Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the cold water in the washing machine if your hunting gear is a little soiled. Wash your hunting clothes in the washer. Dry them in the dryer or hang them on a clothesline outside.

3. Buy residue-free detergent, such as Sport-Wash (see Resources) and add it to the wash when your hunting clothes are really soiled or stained. This type of laundry detergent contains no UV brighteners and won't leave anything to glow. Dry your clothes as normal.

4. Place 2 cups of water in an empty spray bottle. Add 2 cups of hydrogen peroxide and 1/2 cup of baking soda. Stir in 1 oz. of unscented shampoo and place the top back on the spray bottle. Shake the bottle and then spray your hunting clothes down with the mixture. This will freshen up the clothing and take away any odor the hunting clothes have. This will keep animals from smelling you and give you a better chance of catching one. Use this formula on hunting clothes that you've already washed with residue-free detergent.

Tips & Warnings

• If you get rid of the glow or smell in your hunting clothes, you'll still scare off your prey if you move around. Being still is the key in hunting any animal.

Resources

• Sport-Wash